This UK company have some interesting jackets focused around fell running:
https://theomm.com/products/clothing/#shelllayer
I’m curious if anyone has experience of their fabrics and can speak about them in relation to backpacking activities and how they compare to more widely used jackets? (There is an old review of them on BPL from 2012.)
FWIW I asked OMM about the breathability and CFM ratings for their products, and brought up the Patagonia Houdini as a point of reference. They kindly replied:
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The Kamleika Jacket and Phantom Hoodie both use our Kamleika fabric which is our best all-rounder for typical UK conditions. It has good waterproof properties, high breathability but also stretches, making it our most popular fabric. The Jacket uses a full length zip and has two hand pockets. The Phantom has none of those, just holes for your head, hands and legs. The Phantom is a fairly specialist piece of kit, well suited to poor weather conditions, when you are unlikely to take the jacket off or adjust layers over the course of your run or the event and have no need for pockets. Both have fully adjustable hoods, the Phantom has thumbloops and the Kamleika has a dual thumbloop/Velcro adjuster on the cuff. HH 20,000mm WVTR 18,000g/m2
The Halo uses our PointZero H2O fabric which is much lighter and more packable than the Kamleika but less breathable, with a lower HH and no stretch. This is a stripped back range (no pockets, less adjustment), perfect for racing or the purist. Halos are available in smock and jacket form. The jacket has a full zip, the smock is a half zip, neither have pockets or adjustment on the hood, just elastic closure. HH 10,000mm WVTR 10,000g/m2
Kamlite uses the PointZero H2O fabric in the body and Kamleika in the sleeves/shoulders. This gives breathability and stretch where it is needed but keeps weight and bulk low. The Kamlite is only available in a smock and has no pockets, the deep chest zip is two-way, allowing for venting. There are no pockets but you do get more adjustment in the high volume hood.
The Sonic uses the same fabric as the Halo, just without a membrane backer (PointZero as opposed to PointZero H2O). This means you get a high level of breathability but the structure of the fabric means it is windproof. This is also available in jacket or smock, neither has pockets or a hood and no stretch but both pack away into a hidden pocket in the collar and are incredibly light. It has a DWR (Durable Water Repellency – hydrophobic chemical treatment to the fabric helps slow water ingress and stain adhesion. Wears off with use but can be reapplied)  HH N/A WVTR 30,000g/m2
We do not quote a figure for windproofness/air permeability but all of our waterproof shells are absolutely windproof and the Sonic, though not waterproof is in practice very highly windproof.
There is a difficulty in comparing CFM with WVTR as one refers to air permeability and the other refers to the rate at which water vapour passes through the fabric.
Much better (in my opinion) is a real world experience!
I have used the Alpine Houdini, the waterproof version of the jacket you mention. This is most similar to the Halo (using PointZero H2O) in terms of feel, weight and performance.
The Sonic would equate to the Houdini windshell but from memory (I obviously no longer wear any other brand 😉), the Houdini has a slightly ‘creped’ finish to the fabric, giving it a slightly brushed feel, the Sonic is a much smoother fabric and lighter for it. Though this does mean it can press against the skin more in high wind.
In practice, I have used all our shells (and a large number of other brands) and for most typical UK conditions (slightly different to West Coast US!), I have settled on the Kamlite. I like the simplicity, the fit and the performance.
I am yet to find a jacket I don’t sweat in but this one handles moisture well and keeps the worst of the weather out plus the venting is a bonus. And I don’t like pockets on jackets…but
that’s probably just me!
For dry days but with a strong breeze that might cool me on higher ground, or for the start of a run when I feel colder, the Sonic is a good choice as it can then be stashed when not needed. It is a very light fabric and so can’t be expected to withstand the rigours of rough hiking and mountain running with a pack or vest over a long period of time.
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